Published: 21 May 2010
Arriving at Palmer Park in beautiful sunshine a freshening breeze carried the voices of eager youngsters previously unseen at the Track League this season. Competition amongst the U12, U10 and U8 categories was set to be the hardest fought to date. We weren't disappointed.
The 1 lap time-trial commenced promptly at 7pm. Starting proceedings was Under 8 Emily Conn who showed excellent leg speed and determination justifying her pre-race pleas to be allowed to compete in spite of the fact she'd only come down to watch. Thereafter each competitor put themselves on the limit in their quest to set a personal best on this fine evening.
Times in general were slightly quicker than the previous meeting's 1 lap time-trial with Under 16 Jason Pit just dipping under the 40 second mark to post the fastest time on the night. Under 14 Daniel Lansley once again proved fastest in his age category but was pushed extremely close by the ever improving Under 14 girl Abi Dentus, who at little over half a second down carried on her very impressive form from the previous weekend's omnium at Welwyn. In the Under 12 and Under 10 categories the two fastest times were very nifty with these being set by Cameron Thompson and Callum Macleod respectively. Euan Macleod took the race of the Isla's from Emily Conn in the Under 8s, but only just.
As Jason Pitt crossed the line at the end of his one lap effort the Under 8s and Under 10s were back on the fence for the first of two youth Devils. Honors again went to Callum Macleod who showed good sprint speed taking the line a bike length from Joe McGunniess with Max Reed in third.
With a larger field in the Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16s race tactics were much more clearly evident with the stronger riders Jason Pitt and Daniel Lansley keeping the speed honest. As the bell rang for the final lap Jason Pitt stretched his legs and rode away from the field while Daniel Lansley looked on confident of second place, but not without a very good fight from Reg Pay who was only just beaten into third. In future it would be excellent to see Daniel trust his ability and not settle so easily for second, he's capable of pushing Jason all the way to the line.
Following a short break while the seniors raced a frantic 10 lap Hare & Hounds was the youth Keirin.
With Pacer Gisela Bradbury setting a very even tempo Euan Macleod, Kitty Pilgrim Morris and Emily Conn lined up behind the motor and sprinted to the line maintaining their positions. It's a fantastic sight seeing children so small riding like their sprint hero's behind the rather primitive Derny.
Next up were Max Reed, Damon King, Joe McGunniess and Callum Macleod. This heat developed into a fierce battle with Callum Macleod notching up a third win on the evening but not before he'd been pushed all the way by both Joe McGunness in second and Damon King in third.
In the Under 12s Cameron Thompson attacked hard to take a convincing win with Danny Griffiths second in front of a battle royal between Emma Pitt, Max Rigby and Sam Oliver for third with Sam's perseverance giving him a very well deserved placing.
The next heat paired two girls, Abi Dentus and Toni Griffiths, against the boys Reg Pay and the returning younger Lansley, Matthew. It was great to have Matthew back following an obviously horrible hamstring tear. Taking the Derny was Abi followed by Reg with Matthew and Toni completing the four. As the motor eased off the track, Abi kicked hard and gapped the field. But as we have seen in other Keirin heats this year, 300 meters is a long way to the line. Coming into the home straight the race was still on. Reg committed fully to the chase rounding Abi to take an extremely exciting victory by the narrowest of margins, not much more than a tyre with Toni taking third.
The Under 16s ran true to form with Jason Pitt taking the win from Jack Smith with John Ellis in third.
The final race of the evening's youth program, a 10 lap scratch, followed the now familiar pattern of the Under 8s and Under 10s staying out front while the older riders chased them down. Big efforts came from Emma Pitt who powered round the track like a Derny Pacer followed by an audacious attack by Jason Brown who by this time was aboard a new bike, following a puncture, sporting a smaller Under 14 gear. What was noticeable was Jason's leg speed and pace. It looked to me as though this was a more natural gear for Jason and something he may want to consider before returning to the larger geared Under 16 rig. The race reached a fine conclusion with a big group of Under 10s and 12s racing for places behind Jason Pitt in first, Daniel Lansley second and Abi Dentus in third.
A mention must be given to the younger group who worked extremely hard. Joe McGunniess and Damon King worked tirelessly to gain their just reward by stopping Callum Macleod from a clean sweep in the Under 10s by a narrow margin.
An enthralling conclusion to another entertaining night's youth track racing at Palmer Park.